"In understanding be mature."
Text: 1 Corinthians 14:20
SPIRITUAL MATURITY
The challenge to be spiritually mature was certainly in Paul’s heart all the time. As he wrote to the Corinthians he could not help but notice how the believers struggled in the practice of their faith.
“Brethren, do not be children in understanding;
however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.”
1 Corinthians 14:20
1. “Brethren”
a) The Corinthians were not easy people to deal with.
i) There were many issues.
ii) There were many deep problems spiritually.
iii) There were many issues that threatened to divide the church.
b) Paul saw them as “brethren”.
i) This was true spiritual maturity.
ii) It must have taken a lot for Paul to find the grace and the strength to continue to teach the Corinthians.
2. “Do not be children in understanding”
a) Paul knew the problem that the Corinthians were facing.
b) They were like “children” in their understanding.
i) Their focus on using their “gift of tongues” without full consideration of whether that edified the church was an expression of a lack of maturity.
ii) Their understanding of spiritual gifts was obviously lacking.
3. “However, in malice be babes”
a) The word “malice” is simply “that which is bad”.
b) Malice has evil overtones.
c) Evil is something that plagues older people.
d) Babies do not know what “malice” is.
e) It is good to be babes where “malice” is concerned.
4. “But in understanding be mature”
a) This is an important goal to strive for.
b) Spiritual maturity is something that every believer should strive for.
c) This may be achieved through growing in knowledge.
d) Spiritual maturity is needed when applying spiritual gifts.